Hawaii tourism ranking disputed

A publication puts the state back on top as a honeymoon destination

Hawaii may have been too quick to concede to Italy its decadelong title as the No. 1 honeymoon destination.

At the end of last month, Modern Bride magazine put out its widely reported "World's Best Honeymoons" survey, which ranks the top 50 favorite honeymoon spots based on feedback from a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents.

The magazine's list, published in the August/September issue, ranked Hawaii second and moved Italy into first place for the country's first time. Last year, Italy was ranked third.

But another survey, by Honeymooner's Review Guide, finds the Hawaii still the destination of choice for honeymoons.

Michelle McKenzie, vice president for the Honeymooner's Review Guide, said Italy actually came in No. 10 in their survey of returning honeymoon couples.

"Travel agents might love to send couples to Italy, but that isn't where most couples are going," said McKenzie.

The Hawaiian Islands have consistently taken the top position for the most popular honeymoon destinations, McKenzie said.

Honeymoon destinations are definitely changing due to the resort industry, but with increasing income, the maturing age of couples and other factors, Hawaii is still the romantic tropical honeymoon sought by many Americans, she said.

The top destinations also tend to be locations fairly close to the U.S. mainland, which means less money in air fare and a shorter flight after the wedding is over, McKenzie said.

Honeymooners also love Hawaii's safety and convenience, she said. It's a destination where they won't need a passport and they understand the language and currency.

The great majority of respondents were from the USA and others from Canada, Great Britain, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.